Young Syefura: Sexual harassment biggest challenge for females

 

INTERVIEW | When Young Syefura Othman answered her calling to enter politics eight years ago, little did she expect that being constantly sexually harassed would become part of the process.

"I've experienced sexual harassment from Day 1, when I took part in the Bersih rally. It never stops. It can be on social media or in person," she said.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, the elected representative from DAP said all female politicians in Malaysia battle sexual harassment, which comes in many forms. She said she would often be subjected to comments on her body or attire.

Some have even sent her details of sexual fantasies and other lewd content. Her face has also been superimposed in obscene photos.

"Most of the harassment comes in the form of texts. Some are even as bold as saying things like 'oh nak romen tak?' (would you like to go to bed with me?). Some want to do something bad to me. There are many examples," she added.

Harassment from politicians

Although the bulk of such harassment came from strangers and through social media, Syefura said she also experienced harassment from politicians, some old enough to be her father.

"Even in the (Pahang) Legislative Assembly... These 'orang lama' (veterans) would use double entendre. You know what they actually mean. As a fellow lawmaker and being a senior, they should not have said those things," said Syefura, who was elected as the Ketari assemblyperson in 2018.

"If you watch the Dewan Rakyat live telecast, you can see such things happening in Parliament too."

Despite the many obstacles to being a female politician, Syefura recently reached several milestones within her party - two weeks ago she was elected as the DAP Youth deputy chief while winning a seat in the party's central committee and DAP Women committee.

She is the second woman to hold that position in DAP Youth, since Jenice Lee in 2012.

Contemplated quitting

Sexual harassment, Syefura said, was so bad that at one point she contemplated quitting politics.

However, the support of her party leaders and members kept her going.

She advised women with political ambitions to be prepared to tackle sexual harassment and prejudice held by men who believe women were less capable or unable to lead.

"All young women out there who want to be involved in politics must be strong. If not, they will be worn down by all these labels and sexist remarks, and become discouraged.

"I hope that the young women who are joining politics will be physically and mentally fit because these are among the things that await them," she said.

Syefura called on Putrajaya to take sexual harassment seriously and expedite the passage of the long-delayed Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill.

Public needs to be educated

The bill, tabled in December 2021, aimed to establish a tribunal to deal with sexual harassment complaints. It was not passed during the last sitting of the Dewan Rakyat which ended last week on March 24.

"The public needs to be educated on sexual harassment. In my case, people making lewd remarks aimed at me range from old folk to teenagers.

"We need to think of how to improve our country in terms of having a moral compass for the people to respect one another.

"More importantly, politicians must play their role. If politicians and leaders do not know how to behave and resort to sexual harassment, being sexist and such, how do we tell the public not to do it?" Syefura asked. - Mkini